A Great Hollands martial artist is looking to spread his message of dedication, preparation and hard work throughout local schools after winning his first ever world title.

Nigel Whitear, 32, has been involved in martial arts for 21 years. He began teaching kickboxing aged 16, and took up MMA in 2004.

Although he fought 28 times on the circuit, he never formed an allegiance to a single gym and never fulfilled his potential.

However, after a meeting with close friend Nick ‘The Headhunter’ Chapman, who operates the Fight Science gym in Aldershot, Whitear discovered a new lease of life.

Under the close eye of the Fight Science coaches, Whitear focused his efforts on becoming the best athlete he could be.

He worked tirelessly on both his physical prowess, as well as his pshychological preparation both before and during his gruelling fights.

And Whitear insists he has had a ‘new start’ in the sport, so having beaten Brazilian ju-jitsu black belt Vitor Silva at Elephant & Castle earlier this month to claim the Fury MMA World Lightweight title, he wants to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to the younger generation.

And he will begin by visiting All Saints Primary School in Wokingham to discuss how the children may be able to live more wholesome lives.

“I loved to compete, but I wasn’t structuring my training properly,” said Whitear.

“Since January I’ve been with Fight Science – one of the best gyms in Europe.

“The biggest thing for me has been strength and conditioning, but I’m far more focused as well

“All Saints Primary want me to come in and talk about fitness, but also to explain to them the benefits of training, perseverance and setting goals.

“I’m hoping to become involved in other schools as well because I want to help provide a structure for kids of a young age.

“These days society is not always a safe place so if people can get themselves out of danger and show self control in doing so then that is a briliant thing.

“You need enthusiasm if you want to do anything, but for me a lot of it is about exercise.

“My kids have been brought up with it, but so many parents don’t understand the importance of exercise and the damage they could be doing to their children.

“I also want to show some of the older children how fun the training can be.

“In America there is wrestling in schools, while judo is beginning to find its way into schools over here.

“It teaches them about competition, and also to pick themselves up and go again.”

Whitear’s title fight with South American Silva went the distance, lasting all three five-minute rounds.

After a tentative start, the battle soon turned into a gruelling war of attrition.

Twice early on Silva caught Whitear’s leg kicks and drove his opponent to the floor, but both times Whitear fought free.

The Bracknell man had Silva reeling with a straight right to the chin before pouncing on his opponent and unleashing a barrage of vicious shots to the face.

Whitear clearly had the upper hand in terms of strength and fitness in the final round, dominating his Brazilian foe before earning a unanimous verdict for the win.

There is no rest for Whitear, though, as he is fighting again in five weeks for the UK1 British title.